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Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Restaurants Hotels, Restaurants [Edit]
120 Highland DrCarmel, CA 93923
(831) 620-1234
2 free Breakfasts!
Enjoy a Full Breakfast for 2 and a 2:00pm Late Checkout when you book online!
Click Here:
http://goo.gl/Ol4Ig
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- Yes
$155 for $200 Deal
Amanda F. said: "Sometime last year I purchased a Living Social deal for a night at the Centrella on a whim, and completely forgot about it until a few weeks ago when…" read more »
123 reviews for Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Review Highlights
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"Waking up to ocean view cannot be beat." In 28 reviews -
"Loved thier wood burning fireplace." In 8 reviews -
"Dinner at Pacific's Edge Restaurant." In 10 reviews
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123 reviews in English
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Review from Mike M.
Elk Grove, CA
2/19/2012
So if you want to impress, this is the place to go... Rooms have fireplaces and face the ocean. The rooms are nice, little smaller than typical Hyatt's but you don't miss it. The staff are incredibly friendly and what you would expect from a five star resort hotel. If you are looking for somewhere romantic to take your loved one, I would highly recommend this place even though I was only there on business. I wish I wasn't because it would have been the perfect place to woo someone and treat them to ritz, glamour, and the beautiful coastline.
Couple things to know and that I recommend that were better... The pool and hot tub could have been better located. They need a pool that actually overlooks the ocean, maybe an infinity pool and a bigger hot tub... What they have isn't that great. Also, they do offer complimentary valet (i think) but thats good because the parking area is a little far from the rooms.
Enjoy your stay!Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 3/1/2012
We are so happy you enjoyed the amazing views and our… More » -
Review from Pam M.
San Jose, CA
2/6/2012
We are timeshare owners, so we have the opportunity to visit this property every year. I absolutely love this place - we have a one-bedroom townhouse, with a full ocean view of Yankee Point. There is NOTHING like waking up to that view every morning, and watching the sunset each evening.
One pleasant surprise this year is the fact that WiFI is now complimentary (thanks, Hyatt for realizing this is must these days). The staff was awesome as always, from the energetic bell staff who carried our bags up ALL those stairs, to just about every person we interacted with during our week-long stay. The only sour note involved housekeeping - for some reason, although every other day had been perfect, the housekeeper did a very poor job of cleaning the room - supplies weren't restocked, the dishwasher was left full and running, our coffeemaker was left unassembled, and so on. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but a sour note none the less, especially after a week of impeccable service.
As a timeshare owner you can expect a phone call inviting you to owners get-togethers/updates, but they do take a polite "no" for an answer and leave you in peace.
All in all, a welcome break from everyday life. I wish I could stay longer.Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 2/10/2012
We are happy you are able to visit us regularly! If you ever… More » -
Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
In. Love.
WIth Hyatt Carmel Highlands.
With my boyfriend who booked it.
With Carmel.
With Big Sur.
With California.
In. Love!
I realize I seem overly exuberant, but everything about my stay at Hyatt Carmel Highlands was quite honestly, perfect. From the moment we arrived until the minute we pulled out of the drive, I enjoyed every single moment without fail.
First, we found and located this hotel because we had 150k Hyatt Diamond Status points to use for a vacation. This is not an easy feat, it's basically because my boyfriend spends M-F at a Hyatt in Des Moines, IA. Not pretty.
However, this yielded us a 4 night stay in their deluxe 2-story townhouse. Two bathrooms. Two floors. Huge King bed overlooking the ocean. Upstairs with full kitchen, jacuzzi tub, FIREPLACE! and a balcony, again...looking over the ocean cliffs.
Diamond Status? Word. Thanks, boyfriend. We also had tickets for COMPLIMENTARY breakfast for 2 each morning at the more casual restaurant on site, California Market. Each morning we enjoyed breakfast overlooking (what else?) the ocean at an outside table in the sun. From a huge, full menu. Rich coffee. Fresh fruit. Pancakes, French toast, granola...basically anything you'd want for breakfast. I'll write that review separately, but it was a solid way to take care of loyal guests. And it's on site and the view is probably one of the best I've ever had. Anywhere.
The facilities: the gym is adequate and I used it one day, but opted for brisk walks in the highlands and hiking on other days. The gym has several treadmills, bikes, ellipticals and a small weight and exercise room. All are hooked up to TVs. Complimentary headsets and water, of course. Very nice, but again...if the weather is good I highly recommend either getting a bike (free from hotel) or walking around in the Highlands as its really gorgeous and private. And a great workout as its pretty steep and hilly! There's also a heated (82 degree) pool and three jacuzzis outdoors for everyone to enjoy.
The staff: I didn't encounter anyone that was anything less than accommodating, helpful, pleasant and professional. From the valet staff (oh, free valet!) to the bellman (gave us a tour of the whole hotel via golf cart!), front desk staff, concierge, etc. All on point and not a sour apple in the bunch. Cleaning staff did daily turn downs and were meticulous.
Onsite options: a small convenience/gift shop, California Market as mentioned, fine dining at Pacific's Edge (eat before or during sunset only for best views), Sunset Lounge (same view restrictions). Room service is also available and our two experiences with it (one breakfast and one dinner) were great!
Parking: Free valet, and also there is free and easy self-parking for when you don't want to mess with it. We did both and the the valet was never an issue and we never waited very long. We really valued that they didn't nickel and dime for parking and that the valet staff was super friendly and helpful.
We had an incredible stay, felt so comfortable and really well taken care of. I can't comment on price as we ended up only paying for one night, but if you are planning a trip to Carmel and want a stellar view, great service, a great room and privacy...this is definitely a great spot. 5 stars all the way start to finish.Listed in: California Coast Vacation 2012
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 2/10/2012
We are glad you enjoyed such a wonderful, memorable stay… More » -
Review from Elena M.
San Jose, CA
5/18/2012
Maybe it's okay if you get a room with a view and fireplace but unless you get the best rooms you will be stuck with an incredibly rustic room that could be likened to a dump! Beware of room 532 or anything with a garden view ....translates to drive way view. Changed rooms twice before upgrading to sunset suite. Amazing view finally. If you are going to spend the money make sure get a room with a view and fireplace.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 5/23/2012
The beautiful views are definitely one of the most popular… More » -
Review from Chaitri S.
San Jose, CA
5/2/2012
Beautiful view, amazing rooms, just perfect for a special occasion, and the fire place adds a nice touch in the mostly cooler Carmel. I have been coming here over the last 2 yrs with my husband and it has been nothing but perfect.
Both times we received a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Definitely see some older crowd but its perfect get away from the crazy city life.Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 5/2/2012
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are happy you enjoyed… More » -
Review from Alicia J.
Burlingame, CA
5/23/2012
Great hotel with very thoughtful staff and wonderful views! The concierge Britney (i hope i spelled it right! maybe Brittany) was helpful and accommodating. In room fireplace is pretty cool too!
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Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
I seriously couldn't imagine a better place to stay. When I checked into the Hyatt Carmel Highlands and got the bags to the room, I opened the door and looked right through the suite to the Ocean View. The view was absolutely amazing and too nice to close the windows, I wanted to wake up to that view.
I wish I could wake up like that every morning or watch the sun fall with a glass of champagne. The suite was really beautiful, simply designed but classy. Nice big fireplace for a beautiful yet cold winter vacation in Carmel. The fire was roaring.
Everything from the pillows to the big fluffy robes, the bathroom toiletries and hotel amenities was luxurious. The staff was incredibly helpful, went out of their way to make our stay I really felt relaxed and like a princess staying at the Hyatt.Listed in: Carmel and Monterey Getaway
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 1/22/2012
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. We try to… More » -
Review from Katherine M.
Burlingame, CA
4/4/2012
This had an amazing view of the ocean and cliff side. Make sure you're in time for the sunset.The rooms were clean, updated and had a great wood burning fireplace and extra wood if needed. Stayed in the King suite with ocean view and they even sent over a wine and cheese welcome package for us to enjoy. Very romantic!!! Would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 4/13/2012
Thank you for the wonderful review! We hope you stay with us… More » -
Review from Sheeva G.
3/8/2012
This was such a gorgeous place to stay at. The bf and I stayed here a few months ago for a romantic weekend and had a beautiful time. Our room had an amazing view of the ocean and also had a gorgeous fireplace that we utilized very well ;) We stayed in November and the weather wasn't the best, but the fog and mist at night created such an intimate feel. I can't wait to come back with my bf.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 3/13/2012
We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us and the cozy… More » -
Review from Randy B.
11/19/2011
I've had the pleasure of staying here 3 times, and each time did not disappoint. Each room has a ocean view, and the setting is on the most amazing high cliffs over this HUGE rock. At night, the moon shines down...glimmers on the water, and the high tide of water splashes madly and soundly against the rock - and wow - it is spectacular.
The lobby is lovely, and the hotel offers 2 amazing dining experiences -- each absolutely fantastic. The main restaurant, Pacific Edge, is high above the cliffs, enclosed in glass, and with the outstanding view of the ocean. They have a wonderful Sunday brunch ($50-60), that makes an absolutely lovely dining experience.
Perhaps even more breathtaking the more casual cafe, California Market. During good weather, you can sit on an outdoor patio, and sit along the high cliffs that perhaps rival only places in Europe...absolutely breathtaking. It's great for lighter fare, breakfast, a burger, appetizers, salads, etc.
The grounds are kept immaculate, beautifully cared for with flowers...nice for a little jaunt.
Highly recommend this hotel for a romantic time in the Carmel and Monterrey area!Listed in: Top 10 Dining: no boundries, Sunsets & Romance
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 1/22/2012
Thank you for the great review! We are happy you have had… More » -
Review from D L.
Richmond, CA
4/17/2012
I stayed here mid-week as part of a girl's get-away. We had a room with a fantastic ocean view and small deck. Nice, big, modern bath area, and full (small) kitchen. The sofa bed was comfortable. The two dislikes/disappointments: room was a little smoky from the previous guest's fire; and dinner at Pacific's Edge was only fair - the view was incredible, but the food was just so-so.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 4/20/2012
We are happy to hear you chose to stay with us for your… More » -
Review from maria A.
Diablo, CA
5/7/2012
I took a girlfriend to Carmel for an overnight stay last Monday. Since we required seperate bedrooms (and beds) I booked a large suite overlooking the ocean. The hotel staff greated us with warmth and enthusiasm and everyone from the check-in staff to the bellman was very welcoming. The hotel lobby is very pretty and one can easily spot ocean views from the first arrival. The walk to our room was very short and easily accessible to the main dinning rooms, etc. Our room was a two story layout with the master (largest) bedroom down many steps. I slept upstairs on a pull out couch with one of the worst mattresses I have ever had the misfortune to lie upon. The room itself was nothing special: hardly any artwork, mostly wood and a bit on the dark side, but the views were spectacular. Our balcony faced the ocean and it provided the most wonderful views of the rocky coastline. We ate at the Market restaurant for lunch - which was just okay. We decided not to eat at the Pacific Edge for dinner because the prices were incredibly high - even higher than some of the more upscale places in SF. I would go back and take my husband to enjoy the environs but I would wait for a special deal on the room rates - which can easily approach $600 per night. Wonderful, breathtaking views and great service. If you go, make sure you get information on extra beds and sleeping options, if needed.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 5/11/2012
We are glad you enjoyed the beautiful views and we are sorry… More » -
Review from s c.
Concord, CA
2/13/2012
I will make this easy.
Great rooms
spectacular views
Great lounge area with great staff
Great overall service
Terrible breakfast (make you own in your room) worst pancakes ever. They had to be right out of a box. cold food. Staff and manager did not seem to care.
Terrible in room massageComment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 2/19/2012
We are happy you enjoyed the wonderful property and stunning… More » -
Review from Janet O.
8/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a beautiful property tucked away in Carmel.
An nontraditional hotel, more like an ultra posh B&B/ cabin at a ski resort.
The rooms are spacious with top of the line amenities, great views of cypress trees and the ocean.
The food at California Market is fantastic. Recommend sitting on the deck.
At night, I believe only on weekend nights, they have musicians in the bar/lounge.
It doesn't get better than this for the area.
Perfect getaway spot to relax, indulge or celebrate a special occasion (they hosts weddings here too). -
Review from Rachel J.
5/22/2011
I admit, the Hyatt was second on my list for honeymoon lodgings. My first choice didn't have anything available, but the Hyatt did.
I was searching for an ocean view room in a non-touristy part of the Monterey Bay, and the Hyatt's website promised that those stipulations would be met.
For the first night (directly after the wedding ceremony) I opted for the most basic of the ocean view rooms, then decided to splurge on the second night with the spa suite before we headed back into civilization for the other leg of the honeymoon. Upon arriving at the hotel, the two of us were greeted with smiles and many rounds of congratulations. Granted we were both still in our wedding garb, it was nice to be treated like that. When the front desk attendant recalled my reservation she had everything correct and then added that we had been upgraded to the spa suite for BOTH days of our stay! Our bags were taken care of by another attendant who led us to our suite. I felt really bad for the valet who parked our car. Our wedding party had surprised us by filling the car with balloons and glitter (the herpes of craft supplies).
Opening the door to the suite, I was pleasantly shocked! It was so awesome! Essentially a town house setup, the entry floor consisted of a full bathroom, kitchenette, fireplace, living room, dining table, large sliding glass door, and balcony. Sitting on the dining table was a bucket of ice chilling a complementary bottle of sparkling wine from a local winery, and a personal note form the manager. (Nice touch!) A stairway went down to the lower level which was the bedroom and spa bathroom. The next morning I figured out that almost the entire west wall of the bedroom was a window with a view of the Pacific.
The spa bathroom was amazing! There was a massive tub with tiny jets, a shower, water closet, his and her sinks, bathrobes, and some of the best lighting I've seen. The only thing separating the bathroom area from the bed was a large sliding wooden wall.
Over the course of our stay we received breakfast vouchers (via AAA membership) so we did the room service thing. Instead of dining entirely at the onsite restaurant, we went out and bought groceries and made a meal in the suite. The kitchen was stocked with basic cooking tools like pots, pans, serving spoons, and it was also stocked with glasses, plates, bowls, forks, spoons, etc. Being able to cook together actually made our stay less expensive and more romantic. We both love cooking and it's one of our favorite things to do together.
This was such a lovely hotel. Accommodations, staff, surroundings, and room service were excellent. If you have the budget to do so, definitely reserve the spa suite. -
Review from Precious C.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you have the opportunity to stay here, DO IT! Aside from the hotel portion, I can only give a review as an owner. We have always had a great experience at this Hyatt and very other Hyatt Vacation Club. Let's start with the landscapers. They greeted us very moment they could and asked about our stay. House keeping was just as friendly. Staff in the main building was amazing and the dinner staff was just as great. They really appreciated us being there. We reserved through open table and were given a window seat. I really enjoy seeing the fog coming up the hill. We stayed for 4 days and very day was great. In fact, we purchased an additional week because we can never get enough of Carmel.
I read a review where their 10 year anniversary was a "TRAGEDY OF ERRORS" i can understand that sometimes things just don't work out but Hyatt did give them credit, comps and free drinks. To me that is a good weekend. I don't expect to much from people, because after all we all human. A weekend with my husband would never be a tragedy no matter how many things went wrong. Especially if we were compensated. I will definitely recommend friends to this location. GO-HYATT! Lol. -
Review from Michael H.
Campbell, CA
4/5/2011 1 photo
This hotel (known for its hollywood star patronage) is perched atop the famous pacific coast highway (CA Route 1) and overlooks the mighty Big Sur coastline. Hotel rooms dont get much better than this. We were welcomed by an expertly made pre-built log fire & a stunning ocean view. The room was tastefully decorated. The bed was super comfy. Nice deep soaking bath. Free bike rental. We cycled down to Point Lobos for the day. Great fun!
And of course... that view... Wow. Still thinking about it now!
We couldn't fault the impeccable service while we stayed here either. All the staff were on top of their game, from the valet staff through to the bar tenders. Dirty Martinis were so dirty they made me blush. Lol!
If you're looking for a relaxing retreat away from the hussle and bustle of Silicon Valley, you should definitely consider the Highlands Inn as an option. -
Review from Ben G.
Palo Alto, CA
9/3/2011
My wife and I just returned from a night's stay at this property. This was a case of exceeded expectations. I had wanted to book our stay in another Carmel property, but it was fully booked, so fell back to this one.
From our first experience to our last, our experience was flawless--perhaps even perfect. Our first contact with the staff with a very helpful valet (Sam?) who showed us where to leave our car waiting during check-in, walked me into the lobby, and waited for us after check-in to talk us to our room. We were upgraded to a fantastic accommodation with breath-taking corner views of the ocean and two well-appointed, handsome rooms (not beautiful, but tasteful). The design of the rooms took full advantage of the views.
The fire was built for us, all we had to do was light the match. We ordered room service and the meal was top-notch and exactly to our specifications. As good as any restaurant. The bedroom was a bit chilly but the heater warmed it up in short order.
The free Internet access was incredibly fast--faster than most hotels by far. Painless to setup.
In-room breakfast was delicious, water was hot and high-pressure, you get the idea.
Property is lovely, the main check-in area and restaurant are also nice.
A large storage unit full of firewood was right outside our door (we were in room 512, I recommend asking for it) so it was easy to grab some more fuel for another fire in the morning.
I was not crazy about visiting a Hyatt over the more eclectic, personalized hotels in the area but the next time we vacation in Carmel, we will think long and hard before staying somewhere else.
Thank you, Hyatt.Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 1/14/2012
Ben, We are so happy you had such a wonderful visit with us!… More » -
Review from Daryl W.
Brooklyn, NY
6/2/2011
My now-wife & I got married here in May and we were just unspeakably thrilled with the entire experience and so we highly recommend it! We only stayed one night at the hotel and we were in a very nice room (two floors!) so that's the only lodging-related thing I can review but good grief was that a nice room! The ocean views are what you pay for but the room had a jacuzzi tub, fireplace, kitchen, 2 flat-screen tv's, binoculars, and oh did i mention two floors of ocean views?
We were really impressed with the staff - every single person we dealt with was really great, and I want to call out the chef, who made a customized southern food small plates thing for us that, as a Southerner, was spectacular.
Can't wait to go back for a more low-key getaway! -
Review from Addi M.
5/9/2011
Another one-night, two-day romantic getaway, and this location was absolutely wonderful! Despite the weather being overcast, our townhouse had a beautiful view of the cliffside that was breathtaking.
I think I was most impressed with the bathroom of our place; HUGE jacuzzi tub set into the floor with black tiles, beautiful and rustic wood. The design was simply gorgeous.
The staff, however, can be hit or miss. The young man who checked us in was great, the guy who took us to our room was great, the girl who recommended a breakfast place with flawless directions was great. But the woman who ran the desk the morning we were to check out was VERY abrasive. We had arranged to extend our checkout time from 10AM to noon. As we were packing, she called our room at 11:45 and - with a condescending attitude dripping in her voice - told us that "in actuality" checkout was at 10, and she would be charging us. She was SO rude about it, even though we told her that the staff the night before said we could stay until noon.
As long as I don't meet her again, I would definitely come back here. And next time, I want to take advantage of the fireplace and tub. -
Review from Denise N.
San Carlos, CA
1/1/2012
I will write about my experience based on being a timeshare owner. We are Marriott Vacation Club owners and were able to trade for a week at this property during christmas week. The grounds are lovely. The bldgs are rustic, ceilings are low and the rooms are small for being a one bedroom single level unit. The kitchen is very small and narrow, the bathroom is very spacious and has a jacuzzi tub. The "bedroom" is separated by wooden partitions. There is only one tv which is hanging from the ceiling so you either have to be sitting on the bed or on the couch.... The view is STUNNING! We were in unit 210 and enjoyed waking up to our view. Unfortunately, we had to leave the shade opened or closed if you wanted to get dressed in your bedroom because we were low enough for people in the hot tub to see. There was bird poop on the bedroom windows, you would think the housekeepers would communicate that. We asked for an air mattress but they couldn't find the pump to it...
I'm sure this property is LOVELY for a couple celebrating a special occasion. I would not pay to stay here, I'd return to enjoy the restaurants and view...but I'd rather stay at a boutique hotel in Monterrey and be near it all.Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 1/14/2012
Thank you for your review. We are proud to offer our guests… More » -
Review from Veda R.
5/18/2011
My (now) fiance took me here for a one night stay in Carmel. I don't think he could have picked a more perfect place to propose. If any guys out there are looking for the ideal romantic location to pop the question, this is it.
We had an ocean view room overlooking the Pacific coast. We spent a lot of time out on the gorgeous balcony. We had the opportunity to wake up to a rainbow, and I even spotted a whale using the binoculars provided in our room! The meticulous details (providing champagne flutes, the binoculars, a corkscrew, silverware, plates, and even scissors) in the room were very thoughtful and useful.
The staff, although very accomodating, was definitely snooty. I loved the man who walked us to our rooms, but felt that our server at Pacific's Edge could have been a tad nicer.
All in all, our experience at Hyatt Carmel Highlands was perfection, and we didn't want to leave =( -
Review from Nikki B.
Dallas, TX
9/23/2010
Had it not been for the exceptional service we received at every contact point with a hotel staffperson, I'd be handing this place 3 stars. Unfortunately, there were too many small things that all added up by the end of the stay that shouldn't be happening when you dish out some serious cash for a weekend stay. For example:
- Creaky floors: I get it; it's an older property that's been remodeled. But seriously, it sounded like the neighbors above us were doing P90X at all hours of the night.
- Weird shower head: It wasn't centered and was mounted more towards the wall, making for really unpleasant shower times since I couldn't fully extend my elbow out when washing my hair. I huddled next to the wall to get a full stream of water. When we called to have it fixed, nothing ever came of it.
- Broken hair dryer: Shouldn't these things be checked on before each new guest stays in the room?
- Misleading location: From the description of the Ocean View King room view, I thought we would be cliffside with a quiet view. While the views are pretty great on a clear day because you're so high up, the sights and sounds of the passing cars on the parkway directly below your balcony are not so awesome.
However, we did love many aspects of the property and room:
- The in-room fireplace: This really took our stay to the next level; it was great that the maid reloaded it with kindling and newspaper every day.
- Very few kids: I saw less than half a dozen kids the whole time, which made afternoons by the pool really peaceful.
- Thorough maid service: In addition to reloading the fireplace, the maids actually *cleaned* the room each day - as in scrubbing the sink, tub, etc... not just making it *appear* clean by picking up after us.
- The service: From the valet to the front desk, everyone was really nice and seemed overly eager to help us get anything we needed.
- Complimentary bike rentals: Yup. You just have to get down there early enough to reserve one. They also come with locks and side bags upon request.
One other thing to keep in mind - the wireless internet is not complimentary. It's a T-Mobile Hotspot, so come prepared to deal with no internet or a slew of connectivity issues. Even my Verizon card didn't pick up service.
Despite all the "cons" we still had a wonderful time and would probably stay here again. Hopefully they'll get that shower head and those floors fixed soon.Listed in: Beds to sleep in when away…
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Review from jenny l.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2012
This is our second time staying the the Highlands Inn. Everywhere we went, the staff was very friendly and greeted us with a smile. Upon checking in, they would asked if it was our first time visiting so they can assign a bell boy to show us around before escorting us to our room. Our oceanview room was incredibly close to the water and presented us with a picture perfect view.
Comment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 3/7/2012
We are glad you enjoyed our unique property and the… More » -
Review from Raina C.
Monterey, CA
3/10/2011
Absolutely love this place. Views are to die for and the service is impeccable. Everything from the check-in to getting our bell boy taking the time to explain how everything in the room works was great.
Loved thier wood burning fireplace. Having the view of the Pacific while sipping on champagne just makes all your worries melt away. The jacuzzi was great- and a comfortable size to 2 people. I don't really have anything bad to say about the place.
Make sure when you stay to dine at their Pacific Edge Restaurant (make reservations ahead of time)
We definitely have decided to make this a once a yr (at least!) get away. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Anne C.
Torrance, CA
7/28/2010 10 photos
Oh dear ... this place is so pampering!!!
Great staffs, amazing rooms, excellent facilities, and plenty of activities.
We stayed in a one bedroom suite with a fireplace (I believed all rooms has a fireplace). Everything was plush and we had a GINORMOUS balcony! We were very lucky to be able to enjoy the room all by ourselves. Had we known that the sofa was pull out couch, we might have invited 2 more family members.
(*note: some rooms have private jacuzzi tubs)
They had all sorts of hearty breakfast. Their portion were just right. View of the restaurant was just as amazing as from our room.
All staffs were very helpful and friendly.
Pool is very warm which is great because the weather in Carmel by the Sea tends to be pretty chilly. Jacuzzi could have been a bit bigger to accommodate more guests.
Lastly, they have free bike rentals which was a great opportunity for us to tour around state beaches. They provide you locks so that you can take hiking routes as well.
I love love love this place! Thanks for an amazing weekend to an amazing bf again!!! -
Review from Kim D.
Portland, OR
11/10/2011
We were engaged in September of 2010 and planned to be married in October of 2011, high season in Carmel. We called The Highlands Inn in October of 2010 to see if we could consider booking it for our reception. We live out of state and could not make it down to Carmel before January to meet with the catering manager, Beverly Navarro. We were amazed by the fact that they were willing to put our event date on hold with no deposit so that we could make our mind up when we came in January. A place like this could demand money due to its popularity, but they did not. We were so grateful! This was our first clue that we had something special in customer service with Beverly and The Highlands Inn. Since this was a destination wedding we had to rely on Beverly more than most and we put a tremendous amount of faith in her, especially since we had planned a lot of unique details for the reception. Including, but not limited to, a special signature drink for each and every table....some of which were specially ordered. Beverly took these requests in stride and executed them flawlessly for us. Even the minor glitches that occurred on the day of (due to outside circumstances beyond anyone's control), Beverly was able to reroute without stressing us out to the least. This was wonderful as we had enough on our minds with all the other details of the wedding and weekend events. She was also instrumental in working with Chic Events to decorate the reception room exactly the way we wanted. We really transformed the Surf room into something out of a wedding magazine or TV show. Once again, this is invaluable given that we did not live locally. And the food...excellent! Too often wedding food is little more than cafeteria fare, but these meals were gourmet quality! We really appreciated the flexibility of the chef to customize our food selections. Beverly's service team was also something of amazement; we were all treated like superstars at our reception. Our guests had nothing but great things to say about the servers and bartender and I think the staff even had a fun time at our reception. The level of quality that The Highlands Inn and Beverly bring to a party is truly extraordinary. To this day many of guests use the term "magical" to describe our reception at The Highlands Inn and many have said it was the best party they have ever been to. We agree 100% and could not be happier with how everything went, we would not have pulled it off with the help of Beverly. Thank you!
- Kim & Shawn McEuenComment from Jonathan D. of Hyatt Carmel Highlands 1/6/2012
We are so happy you choose to enjoy your wedding with us!… More » -
Review from Emma M.
Fairfield, CA
8/5/2011 44 photos
My husband and I stayed here for two nights for our elopement weekend (back in June 2009 - VERY late review). We got married in Big Sur but opted to stay here the night before and the night of our wedding for a variety of reasons: views, price, reviews (I read A LOT of reviews before deciding to stay here), pictures (from official website and reviews), and restaurant recommend.
VIEWS & ROOM:
* Amazing views from lounge, restaurant, and our room (Ocean View King near the pool). Also, the grounds of the hotel were quite lovely.
* You can see/hear the road, but the hotel is RIGHT off of Highway 1 so it shouldn't be surprising or unexpected.
* Room was very clean and a decent size, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was spotless. Not over the top luxurious, but a very nice room.
* The fireplace was great and logs were already setup and ready to go . . . nice touch.
* This room in another location would not be quite as much money, but you're paying for the view (and impeccable service). If you're looking for the ULTIMATE in luxury with a spectacular view this is not the place for you. Go pay an additional $400 or more for a room in Big Sur.
STAFF & STAY:
Excellent customer service! If it is a special occasion, make that known when making your reservation. I wrote that it was our wedding weekend in the comments section of the reservation and the information was obviously passed along. From the moment we got there to the moment we left we were treated as valued guests and EVERYONE on the staff we came into contact with all weekend congratulated us on our marriage (even after we were out of our wedding garb)!
* Complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates were delivered to our room.
* There was a congratulations card waiting for us at the table we reserved for dinner (we had the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings at Pacific's Edge . . . excellent!).
* Extremely attentive service without being overbearing.
OVERALL we were extremely pleased with our stay. A bit out of our budget for a normal vacation, but certainly would consider staying here again for an anniversary weekend. -
Review from Rhett S.
7/27/2010
Highlands Inn Hyatt is the type of place memories are made of. A beautiful place situated in a beautiful area. One stay and you'll want to make it an annual tradition.
The Highlands Inn is a wonderful place to stay for any occasion. Beautiful panoramic views of the ocean, warm and upscale rooms with fire places, hand-to-mouth pampering service, an amazing restaurant, free mountain-bike rentals, and at a perfect location near to all the fun adventures in-and-around carmel.
We stayed here two nights and couldn't have been more happy. It was an adventure! Highly recommended....Listed in: NorCal, Big Sur and Carmel adventure
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Review from Jeff P.
Napa, CA
9/21/2010
The views from my room (actually a Townhouse Suite) were truly magnificent. Perched high above a Pacific cove, the Highlands Inn is truly a special place with service and amenities to match.
The staff delivers the utmost of professionalism. From the front desk staff team to the bellmen to the valet team to the restaurant teams. You could not ask for better.
My Townhouse Suite, again, delivered magnificent views from both levels and, of course, from the balcony. The fireplace was amazing and well stocked with extra wood and kindling.
I'd stay here in again in the quickest of heartbeats and hope to again very soon. -
Review from Geoff D.
11/21/2005
Hotel locations and California views don't get any better than this.
Fall 2005 Note: They've converted about half of the property to high-end timeshares, which means that you can get a very low priced room by volunteering to sit through a 60 minute timeshare pitch.Listed in: Romantic Weekend Getaways…
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Review from Kristina R.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2006 1 photo
I used to work here in the reservations office (aka: the dungeon) when I was a kid. It was a great place back then. Friendly, unpretentious and welcoming while still very elegant. I even remember coming here with my family when I was a little girl, when it was a really, really homey, family place with a Scottish flair. They even had a guy with bagpipes play at sundown. And the waitresses at the restaurant always called you "sweetie." I just loved that.
Well, the Highlands Inn has evolved. It's become a very ritzy place, complete with a fancy restaurant with amazing ocean views and $400.00 a night luxury rooms. Hey, Sean and Madonna stayed in the Honeymoon/Presidential suite here...how cool is that? But with the coolness came a coldness. It's definitely not the welcoming environment I remember so fondly. I wish they hadn't sold out to the big hotel chains. It really took the charm out of it. But Highlands still has the best views around. Worth a visit, for certain.Listed in: The Monterey Peninsula
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Review from Steve L.
On this last visit, we had townhouse suite, with the kitchen and living room downstairs, and the master bedroom and bathroom upstairs. This time, we brought our kids along, and they slept downstairs, and we had the upstairs. For the nightly turn down, they set-up the sofa bed for the kids.
Every time we come here, I'm pretty awed by the view we have from the room. From both downstairs and upstairs, we can see Point Lobos on the right. The hotel provides a set binoculars for viewing from the room. This time, were able to spot some whales offshore. I also enjoyed sitting in the Sunset Lounge around mid-afternoon, sipping a wheat ale, and enjoying the view from there.
They did upgrade the furniture and the tiles in the shower, and from what I understand, the Hyatt is slowly making more upgrades to the rooms. Although the rooms are a little dated, the spectacular views and the friendly and attentive staff make up for it.Listed in: Monterey/Carmel..., The Places I've Stayed
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/16/2006
Stayed there with my wife for the weekend without the kids. Spacious rooms, great view of the… Read more »
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Review from Alena M.
11/17/2010
I only have positive things to say about the Highlands Inn!
We ended up staying in Room 317, which I personally think is the best! We had an amazing, unobstructed view of the ocean and it was so quiet.
The jacuzzi tub was fabulous and I loved having a kitchen so we didn't have to go out for all of our meals. While I also loved the flat screen TV, the fact that it was hanging from the ceiling almost proved dangerous for my distracted self.
The staff was always friendly and I really appreciated being able to use their computers with Internet access.
Here's a tip (but don't tell anyone I told you): Show up a little early for check-in and you just might get free drinks at bar! The Strawberry Basil Martini is my favorite!
If you can't relax at the Highlands Inn, you can't relax anywhere. -
Review from Sarah M.
Malibu, CA
10/16/2010 3 photos
We recently had our wedding ceremony at Highlands Inn and it was amazing! From the beautiful views to the amazing staff we were very well taken care of. Between the time that we booked Highland's Inn as our ceremony location to the wedding day the wedding consultant for our wedding changed. However, it was seemless and everything went wonderfully.
The balcony is a beautiful place to get married, with its high elevation overlooking the ocean and Bird Cove (Point Lobos State Park) it is one of the most beautiful spots in Monterey. In the summer the walkway is filled with wild flowers and is beautifully kept. It is also a private location on the property, so guests are not always walking by.
For the balcony we only paid $1000 for the rental, but the food it was over $100 per head and didn't include a lot. This rental is about average for Monterey and we loved the location, however the food was way above our budget so we decided to have our reception at Tarpy's Roadhouse (see review). Also, if you have your whole wedding at Highlands Inn you have to use only the vendors on their preferred vendor list.
Negative Note: There are a lots of steps to get down to the wedding area so be aware if you have family members that have difficulty walking. No wheelchair access.
Also, the room we rented for our honeymoon suite did not have a working tub. -
Review from John G.
10/17/2006
This is a high end property that is fabulously overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Great views from the rooms, nice lobby, great bar and meeting rooms. Was able to have a drink and listen to live pianist several evenings during a recent stay. Has spa services also.
Has very nicely decorated comfortable rooms. Linens are soft and fluffy. This is actually a Hyatt property.
Check out the ocean view rooms view:
http://highlandsinn.hy...
I agree with Geoff D. that if you are going on your nickel, take in the timeshare pitch, and get a room for a great value. Just remember to say NO to the pitch.
Otherwise, is is pricey!
Nevertheless, a great place to stay. All you romantics out there need to book a room for the weekend with your sweetie. Good things will happen, I am sure.Listed in: Monterey Peninsula Highlights
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Review from Ileana S.
8/10/2008
If I cover my eyes from my how much I spent for one night, I would give this fancy place 5 stars.
I booked an "ocean view king" room for a hefty $650 (approximately). I paid this price with a discount, meaning that it's actually more...the discount came from the wedding that I was attending there.
**The room:
PLUSES:
+fireplace
+balcony (Be careful. Do not attempt to walk outside naked because drivers driving up to the hotel and any bikers/runners on the same road WILL see your goods...not to mention your neighbors who also have a balcony. Thankfully, I don't speak from experience.)
+ocean view (So amazing to roll over, wake up and see OCEAN at the beginning of your day!)
MINUSES:
-When I was getting ready to check out, I couldn't help but notice a wooden board placed underneath the mattress on my side of my bed. You'd think with how much people spend on a room, they would be able to fix it. Whatev.
-What's up with hotel room appliances?! Must turn to cold for hot water. Weird.
**The wedding:
Amazing amazing amazing set up for a small, intimate wedding. The wedding took place on the Gazebo Deck, looking over the marvelous ocean and its waves. The reception was just as cozy. We just walked upstairs. Good-size dance floor. The food....eh...3-3.5 stars. I ordered the bass (think bland) but I took a bite of the (very bloody...it was supposed to be medium rare) filet mignon and liked it better.
By the way, so great to walk away from the open bar wedding reception extravaganza and slip right into our room (next to the pool). So...in case you are attending a wedding near the gazebo, make sure to book your room next to the pool. A coincidental and perfect situation!
If I didn't want to invite so many people to my wedding (an event very very far away), I might want to book it here. Then again, there's that price tag. Oy vey! -
Review from Jenny B.
7/6/2009
FYI, this comment is not for the hotels, but for the view of a wedding.
I came here with a friend to attend her cousin's wedding. I may not be amazed with the hotel's look from the outside, but the view is a killa. The valet parking service was amazing as well, very helpful with our stuff and since we needed to put something back after changing, the valet guy offered to leave the car in the front first so that we could put our stuff back before the car went to the valet lot. and yes, it's a free valet, just tips. What more could a girl ask for?
The stairs from the ceremony to the ballroom where the buffet was located definitely not for girls with high-heels, thank God I wore nice sandals that day. My friend's face was indescribable when the party was over, she was about to scream in pain. We had to go about 25-30 flight of stairs one way to get food and to get seated. At the same time, I believe the pain was a little washed away when we saw the sunset as we ate our meal.
Since there were only 2 hotels nearby, I saw a couple from the next-door hotel came to here because this hotel was so high-rise, you can view the ocean and the forest all at the same time, it's a ver ynice scenery. If I ever come back to Monterey, I'd definitely paid a visit here. Their lounge area's view were towards to ocean, very tranquil and serene. -
Review from Eric B.
9/7/2008
Gayle and I came here as part of a time share deal. Otherwise, we probably couldn't afford it. And the mandatory time share presentation was low key, fun and interesting, even after we made it clear that for now we were not interested in buying.
This IS an incredibly beautiful hotel with amazing views. The room was incredible well appointed and comfortable. We also enjoyed our dinner at the Cafe (despite a certain faux pas that I made :)). We also enjoyed the nearby hike at Point Lobos and either going south to Big Sur or north into Carmel. We had a very nice time and felt that we were well taken care of.Listed in: Gayle, Unique Places to Stay
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Review from Elizabeth H.
Danville, CA
6/20/2011 1 photo
A TRAGEDY OF ERRORS...For our 10 year anniversary, we were looking forward to getting away. Unlike other places that required a two night minimum, this place does not. However, it costs the same to stay here one night as it would next door at Tickle Pink. After reading the reviews and the seeing the prices, we thought this place was going to be spectacular. We chose the Hyatt over The Inn at Spanish Bay because of the views, and certainly no one can can take that away from them.
It was all down hill from there. We checked in late around 6:00pm and headed to the lounge for an hour for some wine before dinner where a jazz duo was playing. The windows from floor to ceiling are amazing, but it was pretty foggy so there wasnt much of a sunset. Our reservation was for 8:45, and at 8:35 we approached the hostess. In a smarmy tone she said " Well I have people for 8:15 and 8:30 that have not even been seated yet so I dont know when your table is going to be ready, why dont you go have a drink in the lounge? We explained that we had ALREADY spent almost 2 hours in the lounge, this was a special occasion, reservations were made months in advance to request a window seat and she said that not only could she not guarantee a window seat, but she wasnt sure when any table would be available. 15 minutes later she says she has a table for us, a window seat, and would be happy to provide a complementary glass of champagne for our trouble. We were thrilled....UNTIL she brought us to our table...through the restaurant, past all of the windows, back to a vinyl diner-style booth next to the highchairs and the hallway with fluorescent lighting pouring in next to the staff only hallway. This was NOT how I planned to spend my 10 year wedding anniversary. There WAS a window, and we had a lovely view of the side of the building, no ocean, and the roof with the air conditioning vents. And the windows were on either side of the booth, with a table centered in the middle of the wall between the windows...not that I wanted to look at the HVAC anyway. So we left. It was late, we figured we would start fresh in the morning. The next morning, we went to California Market for breakfast to be seated and the hostess tells us she is completely booked and cannot seat us without a reservation. There were empty tables all over the deck. I said REALLY??? Because last night we HAD a reservation and we STILL couldnt get served. So what is a reservation worth? So we went to the lobby for a stale muffin a cup of coffee and the decanter was empty. I was so upset we asked to speak to the manager, Nicole. She then explained to me that food and beverage are separate from the hotel, so it was kind of out of her hands. I almost exploded. I then recounted the entire experience and how we had been "guests" at this expensive resort for over 16 hours and hadnt been able to get so much as a cracker. She disappeared and returned to say she could give us a $200 credit toward our room, they had a table set and ready in the restaurant and would be happy to comp breakfast for us. I thought that was nice, all things considered. It still put a damper on what could have been a really special night.
The amenities in the room are ample...the fireplace is really nice. The towels and bedding and pillows are also very plush. You get an in-room safe and turn down service with water and chocolates on your pillow. But the outside deck has a table with two chairs and lounge chairs, but no cushions and they are a bit weather-beaten and rough unless you are sitting on a blanket or towel. Also, if you look around you can see they took a a super junky bathroom and put new slate tile in, but the ceilings and windows are kind of scummy. They pulled the sink out of the bathroom and put it outside the room with a nice granite on top of the old vanity which has vinyl shelf liner from 1970 inside of it, but the cabinet blocks half of the closet door. I didnt have much with me so it wasn't an issue, but if you had something longer to hang, it hit the safe. They have nice flat screen tvs also. There were also too may kids running around. I have three of my own and love them, but not on a romantic getaway. I think this Hyatt is part of a vacation club or something because it seems to attract alot of families with little ones, running around the lounge and screaming in the pool. Not very relaxing. Overall, this was a bad experience that was amplified by the fact that we had such high expectations for such a special weekend. I would never go back.
